An audience with Abbott
ISRAEL, Iran and Islamist terror were on the agenda last week when Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) executive director Colin Rubenstein, together with his American Jewish Committee (AJC) counterpart David Harris, met Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Rubenstein and Harris were part of a joint delegation that travelled to Jakarta, Singapore, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, where they met with politicians and opinion makers.
While in Canberra, the group also met with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, Defence Minister David Johnston, shadow minister for defence Stephen Conroy, both the Israeli and United States ambassadors, and other diplomats, top journalists and think tank directors.
Rubenstein and Harris conveyed appreciation to the Prime Minister for the government’s continuing support for Israel, especially during Operation Protective Edge, and for strengthening ties between Australia and Israel.
They also thanked Abbott for the government’s commitment to a two-state solution via direct negotiations, while emphasising that Palestinian unilateral efforts in international forums would only delay the possibility of a peaceful outcome for both peoples.
“We very much appreciated the Prime Minister’s receptiveness, warmth and encouraging response to our concerns, as well as the ongoing support of the Opposition Leader,” Rubenstein said.
The group also emphasised the dangerous implications of Iran becoming a nuclear threshold state.
Further, they thanked the government for its leadership in condemning and confronting global Islamist terrorism.
Remarking on the visit, Harris said Australia is “an exceptional” nation.
“We came to Australia, first and foremost, to express our heartfelt gratitude and admiration for the country’s indispensable alliance with the United States and steadfast support for Israel,” he said.
“We are inspired by Australia’s regional and global partnership in an increasingly turbulent world.”
At the same time as the delegation was in Canberra, a group of AIJAC’s younger staffers and volunteers, under the banner “AIJAC Forum”, was also in the capital.
The group met with more than 50 members of parliament, including Minister for Immigration Scott Morrison, shadow minister for trade and investment Penny Wong, Finance Minister Senator Mathias Cormann and Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne.
Defence Minister Senator David Johnston hosted the group for drinks, an event attended by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Trade Minister Andrew Robb among others.
GARETH NARUNSKY
From left: Colin Rubenstein, PM Tony Abbott and David Harris.
comments